REVIEW BY NATALIE WARWICK
Tolstoys Anna Karenina isn't a new tale to me. I've long known the story so I was very much looking forward to seeing it come to life on the big screen. It tells the story of an aristocrat in late 19th century Russia and of her illicit affair with the dashing Count Vronsky. It's dangerous and passionate and fabulous. I was hooked from the word go.
Where this film shines is that it is set in a real life theatre and all the different areas of which make the scenes. The great halls where the parties are held are set in the auditorium and when they go outside they go to the riggings high above the stage. I found it intriguing and gave a 4th dimension to an already fabulous story. Lots of theatrical techniques are used in the film too: like scenes acted out in dance and mime, extreme emotions given more meaning through blackouts and freezeframes and spot lights... Also like a play you get the feeling that meaning is given to every aspect and breath of this film. The beautiful costume and Chanel jewelry are a mesh of 1800 and 1950's style. The idea is not to be 100% authentic but rather to add to the impression of high glamour and sophistication of the film.
Anna Karenina was 2 hours of joy. I was swept away by not only forbidden love, self destruction and suffocating social convention but because of how it was portrayed through the fabulous production and costume design. It is a truly beautiful film which I relished every second of. It doesn't please all unfortunately because Tom found it boring. His review consisted of a succession of zzzz's; but for me it was bliss. If your a fan of period drama and love stories and fabulous fashion you will adore this film too.
Length: 129 mins
More info at IMDB
Tolstoys Anna Karenina isn't a new tale to me. I've long known the story so I was very much looking forward to seeing it come to life on the big screen. It tells the story of an aristocrat in late 19th century Russia and of her illicit affair with the dashing Count Vronsky. It's dangerous and passionate and fabulous. I was hooked from the word go.Where this film shines is that it is set in a real life theatre and all the different areas of which make the scenes. The great halls where the parties are held are set in the auditorium and when they go outside they go to the riggings high above the stage. I found it intriguing and gave a 4th dimension to an already fabulous story. Lots of theatrical techniques are used in the film too: like scenes acted out in dance and mime, extreme emotions given more meaning through blackouts and freezeframes and spot lights... Also like a play you get the feeling that meaning is given to every aspect and breath of this film. The beautiful costume and Chanel jewelry are a mesh of 1800 and 1950's style. The idea is not to be 100% authentic but rather to add to the impression of high glamour and sophistication of the film.
Anna Karenina was 2 hours of joy. I was swept away by not only forbidden love, self destruction and suffocating social convention but because of how it was portrayed through the fabulous production and costume design. It is a truly beautiful film which I relished every second of. It doesn't please all unfortunately because Tom found it boring. His review consisted of a succession of zzzz's; but for me it was bliss. If your a fan of period drama and love stories and fabulous fashion you will adore this film too.
Classification: 12A
Year: 2012Length: 129 mins
More info at IMDB
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